FLINT, MI – Some Flint first responders are coming together
with Sister Souls Inc. in
hopes of sending 300 care packages to troops overseas.

Flint Firefighters have signed up to accept donations to
help the Lake Orion nonprofit collect care packages for soldiers before the
holidays. Among the items the group is looking for are batteries,
canned foods, travel-size hygiene items, DVDs, pencils and pens and
notebooks.

Donations in Flint can be dropped off at the
Flint Firefighters Union Hall, 612 Stevens St., until Nov. 15.

Sister Souls Co-Founder Kimberly Casper said this is
the second year her organization has helped gather the care packages for
soldiers. Casper and the organization donate time to help gather the donations. She said it began when the family of fallen U.S. Marine Corps
Staff Sgt. Raymond Plouhar asked for help with their initiative to put
together the care packages.

Last year, the organization helped the Plouhar family put
together donations for 300 packages. Casper said their goal is to hit another
300 this year. They appreciate the support from the Flint community.

"It's a time to show gratitude and be thankful for what we
have, and show others that we appreciate them," Casper said.

This is the first year Flint has been included as a drop-off
site for donations, said April Plouhar, Raymond Plouhar's cousin. She said several
years ago the family and close friends began making the packages for friends
and family members overseas. Plouhar said after her cousin died in 2006, the
tradition has continued to grow and branch out from her Lake Orion community.

"The whole Lake Orion community comes together to help with
this," Plouhar said. "This is the first year we have branched out of our
community."

Casper said the Flint community can continue to drop off
donations at the union hall until Nov. 15. She said the nonprofit is also
looking to raise $4,500 to pay for shipping the packages. People interested in
giving a cash donation can visit their Eventbrite
– a webpage used to raise funds for the care package initiative. They
are just shy of $4,000. Casper said they plan to ship the packages to the
troops before Thanksgiving.